The South Coast Air Basin (Los Angeles, Orange, and San Bernardino counties) does not meet the air quality standards for nitrogen oxides (NOx), which comes mainly from cars. To meet the 2040 standard will require that total emissions in the basin not exceed 60% of the emissions that occurred in 2020. The combined population in the air basin was 14.12 million in 2000 and 15.68 million in 2020. Assume population growth follows an exponential model based on these values. The automobile NOx emission factor is 0.9 g NOx per mile in 2020 but assume that it drops 2% per year due to better cars being purchased. (a) If the number of miles driven per person per year remains constant at 8700 mi/yr. person, determine by calculation whether the air quality standard will be met.
(b) Calculate the annual reduction in miles/person needed to meet the standard. Assume the emission factor drops as described in part